As the pilots were preparing to land the Cessna
Citation business jet they encountered bad
weather. After a failed landing attempt the jet
crashed into a local school gymnasium about
three miles southwest of the airport. Onboard
the aircraft were two pilots, an adviser,
photographer, and two others from Campos'
political team.

The Brazilian air force reported air traffic
control lost radio contact with the jet just
before it crashed. The weather at the time was
reported about 1.5 miles visibility with rain
and mist. The airport was only equipped for an
NDB approach for runway 35. Witnesses reported
they saw the aircraft flying low, it was at a 70
degree pitch when it crashed and it "hit the
ground like a rock".

Eduardo Campos was Governor of the state of
Pernambuco, in Brazil, located in the Northeast
region of the country from 2007 to 2014. In
April 2014, Eduardo Campos announced his name
for the 2014 presidential election, naming
Marina Silva as his running mate. He dropped out
as governor and at the time of his death he was
President of Brazilian Socialist Party, Partido
Socialista Brasileiro (PSB).

With the presidential election scheduled for
October 5th, Campos was viewed as a serious
contender for president of Brazil. Although he
was running in third place Campos' death sent
shock waves across the South American country's
political landscape. Campos leaves behind his
wife and five children.